The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, finds it difficult to control his emotions at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Arsène Wenger admitted his Arsenal side are now "outsiders" for the title, following the north London team's defeat by ­Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of a pair of Didier Drogba goals in the first half.

Wenger said: "We are outsiders but we will fight until the last day of the season. I believe everyone can drop points. Let's come back to win our next game first [at home against Liverpool on Wednesday] and then see where we stand."

The defeat against Chelsea ended a dismal eight days for Wenger and his side, after Manchester United had departed the Emirates with an emphatic 3-1 win last Sunday.

Despite enjoying the lion's share of the possession, Wenger's team lacked ­conviction once they advanced into ­Chelsea's final third, though the ­Frenchman claimed Arsenal were the better team.

He said: "We had 70% of possession today. We were always attacking but in a big game like that when you are 2-0 down, you demand too much. We could not get back to 2-1 and get them really wobbling.

"It is difficult to swallow a defeat like that when we felt we were the better team. Chelsea defended well until the last minute so you have got to give them credit."

Wenger criticised Carlo Ancelotti's team by asserting that they had been intent on playing a spoiling game rather than ­offering any creativity. "You have to congratulate Chelsea. We did not get a demonstration of football but they were efficient and that is what made the ­difference. The first goal contributed to our defeat," he said of the moment when John Terry was allowed the freedom to head Florent Malouda's corner on to Drogba, who finished from close range.

"They defended very well. We were unlucky with one or two decisions from the referee but we had mountains of ­possession. We could not transform it into goals."

After the insipid reverse to United a week ago, however, Wenger professed satisfaction with this display. "I am completely happy with the performance and spirit," he said. "We didn't turn up against Manchester United but today we had the expected performance. We were completely dominant. I always had the ­feeling we could come back but you have to give Chelsea credit. They are very experienced at the back. We tried very hard and the team gave absolutely everything and sometimes when you lose, you have to acknowledge that as well."

Arsenal are now nine points adrift of Chelsea and Wenger agreed that it was "vital" to defeat Liverpool. "We are not in the best of positions but we will not give up," he said. "It is vital against Liverpool but it was vital today and we still lost."